Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

November 26, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Ann Robertson Turner was born in Warm Springs, Georgia, on March 2, 1936. She died peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the age of 88, after a brief stay at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, NC. 

Ann grew up in Manchester, GA, which she liked to call her “Mayberry.”  Ann’s parents owned and operated several small businesses on Main St. which meant that Ann always had the run of the town as a courier and messenger, usually between their TV repair shop and gas station. Because her father served on several town boards, Ann grew up with a deep desire to serve others and to get involved.  She excelled in school and spent much of her high school years involved in the debate club and Future Homemakers of America on a national level.  Ann attended Georgia State College for Women (GSCW) in Milledgeville, GA, where she majored in Home Economics and was active in student government and theater.  She also served as President of the Young Women’s Christian Association. 

During high school, Ann went on a blind date with a handsome young man named H.B. Turner, which was arranged by Ann's debate coach, who was also H.B.’s aunt.  She and H.B. "courted" for seven years, and after Ann's graduation from GSCW, she and H.B. were married on June 29, 1958.  They began their married life together in Macon, GA, and moved several times throughout the Southeast for H.B.'s employment with Ralston Purina Company, with most of their years spent in Charlotte, NC and Montgomery, AL.  Ann was dedicated to her family and she and H.B. shared a love that only grew stronger over the years.  In their final years together, Ann was a faithful and loving caregiver to H.B.  As his Alzheimer’s disease progressed, she was always by his side and he adored his “Miss Ann.”

Ann loved Jesus all her life and put that love into action.  Much of her work and volunteer activities revolved around the church and her desire to serve others.  She served as minister to single adults as a layperson in Charlotte's First Baptist Church in the 1980s and at Ridgecrest Baptist in Montgomery in the 1990s.  She became the unofficial "second mom" to many young adults during that time.  She taught Sunday School most of her adult life and was a leader in her churches' Women's Missionary Union.  Most recently, Ann taught the weekly Bible Study (and intermittently the Sunday morning service) at The Charlotte Assisted Living community where she lived for the past three years.  In addition to teaching others about Jesus, Ann had a heart for those in need.  Over the years, she provided direct financial assistance to many in need as well as weekly visits and support to many that were homebound.  

Although she spent much of her life serving others, Ann found time for fun, too.  Her grandchildren remember fondly their trips to Alabama at Christmastime to see “Gran” and “B.” Parents’ rules went out the window in Montgomery, and Gran was always ready and waiting with a dessert or two, and a hot waffle maker producing unlimited homemade waffles with toppings (also unlimited) of butter, syrup, whipped topping and the occasional peanut butter.  The annual summertime “Cousins Camp” at Gran’s house was also big fun and lacked much in structure and rules.  Ann lived life with a smile on her face, joy in her heart and laughter at the ready.

Ann is survived by her children, Van Turner (Linda), Brook Turner (Deede) and LuAnn Tucker (Mark), all of Charlotte, NC; six grandchildren, Callaway Turner (Carrie), Niki Turner, Becky Turner Piper (Brett), Emily Turner Lippincott (Alex), Anna Claire Tucker, and Hampton Tucker (Izzy); and two great-grandchildren, Caraleigh Turner and Ash Piper.  Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Martha Claire Killian (Sam); two nieces; her nephew and many cousins that were special to her.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Brooks Callaway Robertson and Ruth Felton Robertson, and her husband of 63 years, Hiram Bailey Turner, Jr. 

Ann loved her church families and was grateful for the friendships over the years from many at First Baptist Church-Charlotte, First Baptist Church-Montgomery, and Hopewell Presbyterian Church. 

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 10500 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville, NC to joyfully celebrate Ann and the life that she lived so well.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.